Well in case you're thinking of starting an ante post previews section here's an early gold cup preview.
Arguably one of the most built up clashes of Royal Ascot, the Ascot Gold Cup currently only has 3 entries. Is this because all the others have been scared off, or is it just because their trainers haven't entered them? Either way, the muddy puddle that is the Gold Cup picture will be a lot clearer in a weeks time after the 2m4f listed race at Sandown, which all of the Gold Cup entries are entered in, rendering the Gold Cup perhaps no more than a rerun.
Entries:
•Heroic Quest, Trainer: ubar02, Rating:113
Has run very close in 2 previous starts, over 2m2f and 2m, and the Gold Cup looks likely to be her second run over 2m4f if she takes up her engagement in next weeks Yeats Was King Listed race at Sandown. She has shown arguably the highest class form of all the runners in the race with second in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan last week, though she was ultimately well held by the worthy winner. Indications from both her trainer, who has been talking up her chances all week, and her previous form suggest she should handle the step up in trip well and should find improvement.
•Feat Ping, Trainer: keithbeaky, Rating: 119
The least exposed and highest rated horse in the race, with just an emphatic maiden win over the distance to his name, and with a glance at his entries looks likely to head into the race with just 2 runs under his belt, as opposed to the 4 runs each of his opponents look likely to have had. Future entries suggest he is at his best over 2m4f, though this may be due to the presence of Pinks For Girls in the same yard, so his versatility isn't likely to be tested. His trainer has been bullish so for over his chances, engaging in a war of words with the trainer of Heroic Quest, his form suggest he will have no trouble handling the trip and the general consensus is he is the most likely winner.
•Again and Again, Trainer: cahiller, Rating: 106
The lowest rated horse in the entries so far, and has been soundly beaten by Heroic Quest in both of his runs so far. Put up a solid performance in the Yeats Champion Maiden, coming in third, but failed to back it up with a poor run in the Dibai Gold Cup, where the horse pulled very hard in the early stages before fading badly, which is a worry given the Gold Cup is another 1/2 mile further, though some confidence can be gained from the fact in his previous race he settled well and ran as if he needed the extra 2f. His trainer has been silent on his chances, and though his form suggests he may handle the step up in trip, on ratings and the quality of his previous form, it will be a shock if he comes home in front in 2 weeks time.
Verdict:
Overall, based on the ratings and previous form, Feat Ping, with form over race distance and ratings advantage 6lb is the definite favourite, closely followed by Heroic Quest who has put up good form and has shown versatility but is yet to race over 2m4f, and the current outsider is Again and Again on the basis of his previous form where he has been beaten by Heroic Quest on both occasions. However, all horses are down to run at least once more before the big race, and with two of the contenders stepping up in trip and the other having his first run outside maiden class, as well as surely more entries, there is the potential for a change in the Gold Cup picture.
1.Feat Ping
2.Heroic Quest
3.Again and Again
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